Tinubu: The power of reforms

In its assessment, the Financial Action Task Force (FATF), saluted the “strong political will” and commitment to financial integrity, which led to the removal of Nigeria from the “grey list” of countries under increased monitoring in October 2025.

The CEO of Shell Plc, Wael Sawan, commended President Tinubu’s leadership and confidence building, which motivated the company’s plan to invest an additional $20 billion in Nigerian economy.

Also, the anti-terror war has elicited praise from the United World Congress of Diplomats (UN-WCD) and International Institute of Experts on Political Economy and Administration (IIEPEA).

In the education sector, the administration is focusing on enhancing access through the establishment of more tertiary institutions, infrastructural development and acquisition of technical skills. The Students Loan Scheme (NELFUND) was established to keep indigent students in school and prevent dropout. Budgetary allocation has been on the increase, and recently, the Federal Government approved the implementation of the 40 percent allowance increase for university teachers.

Under TETFUND interventions, over thousands of capital projects in tertiary institutions have been completed. Also, the DOTS Project was launched to address Data Repository, out-of-school children, teacher training, and skill development. The gap between education and employment is being bridged through increased focus on vocational training.

The curriculum has been reviewed, with an emphasis on entrepreneurship education and digital training, and the reinstatement of history as a school subject.

Health is wealth. Ten new cancer and diagnostic centers have been established, over 60,000 health workers trained, $1 billion  secured for pharma-manufacturing and primary healthcare boosted by N68bn vaccine investment. Under the oncology expansion scheme, the Nigeria Sovereign Investment Authority (NSIA) is establishing 10 state-of-the-art oncology and diagnostic facilities nationwide, alongside a partnership with Siemens Healthineers to upgrade cancer care.  Solar power infrastructure is being installed in many Federal Teaching Hospitals to ensure 24-hour power supply, and thousands of PHCs are on stream to enhance rural healthcare access.

President Tinubu signed an Executive Order providing zero duty and VAT on imported pharmaceutical raw materials/equipment to boost local production. Also, a bulk purchasing organization, MediPool, has come into place to reduce drug costs and improve supply chain efficiency. N68bn was earmarked for vaccine procurement. N500bn was settled in outstanding health liabilities, and $1 billion was secured in financing for healthcare through Afreximbank.

The administration has administered 25 million measles vaccines, 22 million yellow fever vaccines, and rolled out the HPV vaccine to 14 million girls to prevent cervical cancer. The rollout of Africa’s first Mpox vaccine has also been successfully managed. According to experts, these reforms have contributed to a 55 per cent reduction in overall mortality in targeted or sampled local government areas.

The government has accorded priority to road infrastructure development by investing over N2.2 trillion in over 440 projects, including 260 completed palliative road projects. Notable are the 700km Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway, which people are already enjoying, and the Illela-Sokoto-Badagry Superhighway.

To boost connectivity, work has started on the Kano-Daura-Kongolam road, Oyo-Ogbomoso road, and Maiduguri Ring Road, and Itawure/Efon-Ado-Ekiti road. Work is ongoing on the 284-km Kano-Katsina-Maradi rail line, and the Kaduna-Kano line.

Abuja, the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) is wearing a new look through the massive construction by the FCT authorities.

President Tinubu has focused on food security and modernization, underscored by his declaration of a state of emergency on food security and the launching of the National Agricultural Development Fund (NADF) with

N100 billion, and establishment of a N50 billion seed fund. The Federal Government has approved the importation of thousands of tractors annually, in partnership with John Deere to modernize farming under the Renewed Hope Agricultural Mechanisation Programme.

Of particular note is the establishment of the Ministry of Livestock Development and Food Security. A 150-day duty-free import window for essential food commodities, including maize, husked brown rice, wheat, and cowpeas, to combat food inflation, was approved. Government agencies are also providing  support for dry-season farming by distributing fertilizers and other inputs. The farm extension system has been upgraded and private sector investment is encouraged to reduce reliance on food imports.

In terms of inter-governmental relations, two critical steps had been taken. The machinery for the establishment of state police has been put in motion. Also, the Federal Government has granted full political, administrative and financial autonomy to local government for grassroots development. The sub-national units now receive more funds from the Federation Account for development projects.

The Tinubu administration has fought insecurity with vigour through investment in men and materials for prosecuting the war. This is evident in the procurement of equipment, establishment of forest guards, massive recruitment of Army and Police personnel, synergy among the Armed Forces and para-military agencies, and collaboration with neighbouring countries on security. The Armed Forces deserve kudos for their uncanny dedication, patriotism and commitment. The President deserves applause for his courage in handling the whole situation.

The Tinubu administration has taken a decisive step in strengthening the revenue generating systems. The new tax law is a right step in the right direction, although the facts are being twisted by alarmists who peddle falsehoods and fuel propaganda. Indeed, business barons and other tax evaders, who perceived themselves as the targets of the visionary and revolutionary initiatives, have tried to truncate the reforms, but without success. The vision is clear and the gains are ernormous.

Remarkably, the new tax structure is not an end in itself, but a means to finance public welfare, fund infrastructure, education, health care, security and guarantee social protection.

Read Also: Nigeria, Angola signs visa exemption agreement 

But more importantly, the tax reform is packaged to protect low-income earners, grant more exemptions and adorn a human face. The feature of N800,000 annual tax-free threshold is in the interest of low income earners and the masses. The goal is to bridge or close the gap between the rich and the poor, bring relief to the masses and the average worker, who would have increased disposable income through the exception. It is now clear that taxes on rent and essential electronic transfers below N10,000 and multiple taxation on small businesses have been removed. This is expected to lower inflation and foster equity by taxing higher earners appropriately.

If over 90 per cent of micro and small businesses are out of the “tax-paying” bracket for major taxes (Companies Income Tax (CIT), Capital Gains Tax (CGT), Withholding Tax, VAT, and Development Levy), there would be a reduction in gaps that would promote fairness and equity. By ensuring that higher-income individuals and profitable corporations pay more, the pressure on low-income earners is removed.

The general benefit is that with more money in the treasury, government is in a vantage position to deploy more resources in the critical sectors, fight the huge infrastructure battle and cater for the welfare of Nigerians.

The world is watching. President Tinubu is receiving accolades for his style in the international community. The image of Nigeria is improving. The standing of Nigeria in the international community is more sure-footed. An average Nigeria is now more respected abroad.

It is good to note that as the President is doing all these, we also have a First Lady who has a high sense of responsibility and empathy for the downtrodden. She has moved across the country to attend to the needs of the poor and indigent, women and youth. She has given succour, empathy and support to those in distress through her various intervention programmes.

The First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, was recognised during the National Prayer in Washington by United States President Donald Trump who had changed his opinion about a country uncritically labelled as a genocide haven to a rational territory of religious accommodation, understanding and harmony.

Also, King Charles 111 of England has extended to President Tinubu an invitation for a state visit, 37 years after a similar invitation was extended to a Nigerian leader. These show that world leaders see some qualities in the President,  which have rekindled their hope about the progress being recorded by Africa’s most populous country.

Generally, this government is on course, and everybody should please, join the president in renewing hope and rebuilding Nigeria.